Question

Why can sulfur bond 6 times?

Answer 1

1. The ground state electronic configuration of Sulphur is $\left[\mathrm{Ne}\right]3{\mathrm{s}}^{2}3{\mathrm{p}}^4$ which is quite similar to oxygen since they are both Group 16 elements. But, unlike Oxygen, Sulphur has vacant d-orbitals in its valence shell as shown here.

2. In the excited state, the vacant 3d-orbital is occupied by an electron each from 3p and 3s-orbitals as shown here.

3. Thus, in the excited state, there are six orbitals with unpaired electrons which become available for bonding. Sulphur hexafluoride (${\mathrm{SF}}_6$) is an example of a compound where Sulphur has six bonds.

4. Sulphur can form six bonds due to the presence of vacant 3d-orbitals which get occupied on excitation and create six orbitals with unpaired electrons that become available for bonding.